Voplex building
Encyclopedia
The Voplex building is a remarkable office building located in Perinton, New York
close to Interstate 490
approaching the city of Rochester, New York
from the east. The name is a local one, not formally conferred on the building. Instead it refers to the fact that the building was designed for and initially occupied by Voplex Corporation, a supplier of automotive custom plastic products such as interior trim. A sign with the name "Voplex" in large letters was visible for quite a distance, and the name stuck. LogicalSolutions.net and Synergy now occupy the building, and the building is part of the three building office complex officially called the Basin Tech Centre on Pittsford-Victor Road. Coincidentally, it is within a quarter mile of the Mushroom House
, another notable piece of local architecture, but one not visible from a distance, being located in woods.
Another office building, located in Canandaigua, New York
, is also a former Voplex location, and is likewise known as the "Voplex building". However it is of conventional design.
Unfortunately, the brand name Voplex has recently been used for a product which relates to erection
s of an entirely different kind, so web searches for the "Voplex building" tend to result in many references to this product. Such searches should be avoided in places where this can cause embarrassment.
The building has been likened to a large pie with a section cut out, a flying saucer, and the Millennium Falcon
. It was designed by the architect Carlton DeWolff, founder of the nationally recognized firm of DeWolff Partnership Architects LLP. Other designs in his portfolio include the International Museum of Photography at the George Eastman
House, and the Blue Cross Arena
in Rochester.
2008 - The building was purchased by James Salviski, founder of LogicalSolutions.net and began undergoing a complete renovation (expected to be complete in late 2009). The existing warehouse was converted to a Tier4 data center, and the facility became the new headquarters for LogicalSolutions.net, a software, website design, hosting and Data Center management firm.
2009 - With much of the data center and interior renovation complete, a significant effort to clean up the grounds is underway. People traveling on 490, especially Eastbound travelers, will notice the cleanup of trees and other overgrowth.
Perinton, New York
Perinton is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 46,090 at the 2000 census.The Village of Fairport, New York is within the town on the Erie Canal. Perinton is adjacent to the village of East Rochester , and the towns of Victor , Macedon , Pittsford , and Penfield...
close to Interstate 490
Interstate 490 (New York)
Interstate 490 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway that serves the city of Rochester, New York, in the United States. It acts as a northerly alternate route to the New York State Thruway , leaving it at exit 47 in the town of Le Roy and rejoining the highway at exit 45 in the town of...
approaching the city of Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
from the east. The name is a local one, not formally conferred on the building. Instead it refers to the fact that the building was designed for and initially occupied by Voplex Corporation, a supplier of automotive custom plastic products such as interior trim. A sign with the name "Voplex" in large letters was visible for quite a distance, and the name stuck. LogicalSolutions.net and Synergy now occupy the building, and the building is part of the three building office complex officially called the Basin Tech Centre on Pittsford-Victor Road. Coincidentally, it is within a quarter mile of the Mushroom House
Mushroom House
The Mushroom House or Pod House is a contemporary residence in the town of Perinton, New York which has been featured in television programs and books due to its whimsical appearance. Patterned after umbels of Queen's Anne's Lace, its brown color is more suggestive of mushrooms...
, another notable piece of local architecture, but one not visible from a distance, being located in woods.
Another office building, located in Canandaigua, New York
Canandaigua (city), New York
Canandaigua is a city in Ontario County, New York, USA, of which it is the county seat. The population was 11,264 at the 2000 census...
, is also a former Voplex location, and is likewise known as the "Voplex building". However it is of conventional design.
Unfortunately, the brand name Voplex has recently been used for a product which relates to erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
s of an entirely different kind, so web searches for the "Voplex building" tend to result in many references to this product. Such searches should be avoided in places where this can cause embarrassment.
Views of the building
Passing moderately high around a hill, the I-490 highway gives a fine view of the city in the distance with the Voplex building in the near foreground, below the road. From this vantage, one can see the shape of the building as a decagonal, lenticular shape raised up on a much smaller rectangular base. Three segments of the decagon are missing on the south side, forming the main entrance.The building has been likened to a large pie with a section cut out, a flying saucer, and the Millennium Falcon
Millennium Falcon
The Millennium Falcon is a spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...
. It was designed by the architect Carlton DeWolff, founder of the nationally recognized firm of DeWolff Partnership Architects LLP. Other designs in his portfolio include the International Museum of Photography at the George Eastman
George Eastman
George Eastman was an American innovator and entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak Company and invented roll film, helping to bring photography to the mainstream...
House, and the Blue Cross Arena
Blue Cross Arena
The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Rochester, New York. Its maximum seating capacity is 13,000...
in Rochester.
Recent history
1995 - The building was acquired by Ray Hutch, founder of Western New York Computing Systems / Synergy Global Solutions. Ray converted the 1st floor covered parking to office space, and added a 6000 square feet (557.4 m²) warehouse on the north side of the building.2008 - The building was purchased by James Salviski, founder of LogicalSolutions.net and began undergoing a complete renovation (expected to be complete in late 2009). The existing warehouse was converted to a Tier4 data center, and the facility became the new headquarters for LogicalSolutions.net, a software, website design, hosting and Data Center management firm.
2009 - With much of the data center and interior renovation complete, a significant effort to clean up the grounds is underway. People traveling on 490, especially Eastbound travelers, will notice the cleanup of trees and other overgrowth.